Facebook, as usual, dominates this week's news, as they attempt to bring corded-quality VR to the wireless masses, pizza to the starving gamers playing it, AIM-style away messages to us nostalgic folk, and JOBS to all. LinkedIn continues their "new features every damn week of 2017" streak with sponsored auto-play video ads. Twitter is changing its video ad game with Video Cards that launch a playing video over a clicked link. Back to Facebook, who's finally letting brands create Facebook Stories. But if they don't succeed in stealing the Snap demographic there, it's all good: Facebook has also acquired tbh (don't worry if you don't know what that is), which is the rare anonymous platform that's all about positivity. Snapchat's still very much in the "constantly developing new stuff" game, though: they just announced a partnership with NBCUniversal (& Donut Studios) for new, scripted programming.
Facebook Announces Inexpensive Oculus VR Headset:
Facebook Announces $199 Oculus Go Standalone VR Headset (Variety)
Facebook announces a wireless $200 virtual reality headset (Chicago Tribune)
Facebook unveils "portable" Oculus VR headset (Axios)
How Oculus and Facebook Are Attempting to Make VR Social (DesignNews)
Facebook food ordering:
Facebook's Newest Feature Lets Users Order Food (Refinery 29)
Facebook launches new food-ordering feature (Philly Voice)
Facebook Adds Options For Ordering Food (Forbes)
Facebook's "Order Food" feature officially launches across the US (TechCrunch)
Facebook Status Messages:
Facebook Tests A Return Of The Status Message (BuzzFeed News)
Facebook Goes Retro With Its Test of Text-Only Temporary Profile Status Updates (Adweek)
Facebook Testing Resume Feature, challenging LinkedIn:
Facebook is testing a Resume/CV feature--watch your back LinkedIn! (Social Barrel)
Facebook is testing a LinkedIn-like resume feature (Engadget)
Facebook is reportedly testing a new resume / CV feature (Mashable)
LinkedIn autoplay video ads:
LinkedIn launches autoplay mobile video ads (Marketing Land)
Video Ads Are Finally Coming to LinkedIn (Adweek)
LinkedIn would like to add autoplay ads to your professional network (Engadget)
LinkedIn is testing autoplaying video ads (betanews)
Twitter Video WEbsite Cards:
Twitter introduces a new video-centric ad format (TechCrunch)
Twitter’s New Ad Unit Pulls a Video Above a Website to Make Click-Throughs More Interactive (Adweek)
Twitter’s new Video Website Card ad format uses video to push link clicks (Marketing Land)
Facebook launches branded Stories:
No one uses Facebook Stories, so now they're available for #brands (Engadget)
Facebook Stories open to Pages, bringing brands to the ghost town (TechCrunch)
Facebook acquires tbh:
Facebook Acquires Teen App (Reuters)
Facebook acquires anonymous teen compliment app tbh, will let it run (TechCrunch)
How tbh hit #1 by turning anonymity positive (TechCrunch)
Facebook Acquires 'tbh,' an Anonymous App for Teens (Fortune)
Snapchat and NBCUniversal scripted programming:
Snapchat and NBCUniversal Are Creating a Digital Content Studio for Scripted Shows (Adweek)
Snapchat & NBC Are Teaming Up For Scripted Shows (Refinery 29)
Snap teams with NBCUniversal in drive for TV shows on Snapchat (CNBC)
Snap and NBCUniversal team up on Snapchat scripted shows (TechCrunch)